Only about one fifth of the Museum’s collection is on permanent public display. Regular Special Exhibitions often showcase objects normally in store, but the entire collection is accessible here. The database contains detailed information about more than 18,000 objects, many of them photographed. Members of the public can, where appropriate, make research visits to view objects. For enquiries about research visits please email collections@mhs.ox.ac.uk.

There is also detailed information available for other museums wishing to borrow from the collection for special exhibitions.